The Angler Video Magazine | December 2022 Edition

appy Holidays

H & Good Fishing!

Members of ‘A Band Of Anglers’ (ABOA) are passionate anglers and good people. We aren’t all world record holders or tournament pros. But we are all passionate about fishing. Members of ABOA are employees. We are investors. We are friends. We are brothers and sisters. We are anglers who love and protect the sport of fishing and the beautiful waters in which our fish swim and thrive. We have that weird gene that makes us wake up on a late winter morning thinking about fishing. We smile when we set the hook on a solid fish and feel our rod bend. And we LOVE to fish the patent-pending lures designed and made by Patrick Sebile and his friends.

a band of anglers is a way of life.

By CAM Staff

’Tis the Season

GULF COAST HOGFISH

With their oddly shaped mouths and a diet made up of crustaceans and mollusks, hogfish were once thought to be a species too difficult to target with rod and reel. All that changed over the last decade or so, as captains figured out how to specifically target these delicious and beautiful bottom-feeders.

Wintertime is the best time to target hogfish on the Gulf Coast. From late November into March, they congregate on nearshore reefs and ledges to spawn, which makes them a great option in a season when rough weather can prohibit long runs to deep water.

Hogfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means they are all born female and change into males as they age. A single male will tend a harem of numerous females, which means finding good hogfish bottom can result in quick limits of five fish per angler, but few of them will be large mature males. There is a 14-inch minimum size limit in Florida, and hogfish of 18 or 20 inches are considered very good fish.

This time of year, dozens of hogfish can be found congregating together on reefs, rockpiles, and hardbottom in 50 to 75 feet of water. In most places, this can be found inside of 20 miles offshore. A prominent ledge with

probe cracks or root in the sand for critters like sand fleas, crabs and snails.

Once you find them, the secret to catching hogfish is pretty simple. Like just about anything else that swims, they are suckers for shrimp. Big live shrimp, fresh dead shrimp and even stinky thawed shrimp are irresistible. Just leave it right on the bottom, where a hogfish is likely to find it while rummaging around in the sand.

The rigs used to catch hogfish are also pretty

simple. A knocker rig with a 1- or 2-ounce slip-sinker right up against a 1/0 circle hook will keep that shrimp right on the bottom. A half or 1-ounce circlehook jig head will do the same thing. Some successful captains swear by hogballs, which are painted weights tethered to a hook by a small chain. Regardless of the rig, you don’t need to go too light because hogfish aren’t particularly leader shy. A 5000 series reel with a comparable rod and 25-pound braid to a 30-pound leader is enough to haul even the largest hogfish up from depth.

The trickiest part of catching hogfish is getting a good hook-set. You’ll want a little bit of slack in the line, which allows them to pull that shrimp into their snout. Typically, you might feel or see a subtle first bump, which will be followed by a second bump as they actually take the bait. Allow the fish to pull the line tight before reeling down and swinging the rod to drive the hook home.

For more information, visit coastalanglermag.com.

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By CAM Staff

WINTERTIME FISHERIES

Instead of spending the next few months holed up inside, get yourself a good parka, find a window of decent weather and go fishing. Believe it or not, for some fisheries winter offers some of the best action of the year. Here are a few ideas to help you combat cabin fever.

1. The Outer Banks: In winter, North Carolina’s Outer Banks are the destination for several migrations which bring excellent fishing to the island chain from Oregon Inlet down past Ocracoke.

Out of Hatteras, it’s a short ride out to the edge of the Gulf Stream, and this time of year tuna congregate there to feast on a bounty of baitfish. Big bluefin tuna 200 pounds and larger are on the prowl, and anglers can also do battle with blackfin, yellowfin and bigeye tunas.

At the same time, big schools of striped bass will be marauding baitfish on the beaches and in the inlets. Surf anglers can encounter them blitzing menhaden by looking for bait and birds. Charter boats do good business this time of year trolling while keeping eyes peeled for stripers herding and crashing bait balls.

2.

South Florida Sailfish:

From December through February the Atlantic Coast of South Florida becomes one of the best sailfish destinations in the world. Release flags will be flying along the edge of the Gulf Stream from roughly Fort Pierce down through the Keys.

For this bite, you’ll want to fish when the weather’s a little rough. With strong winds from the north, tailing conditions push sailfish high in the water column to feed. They surf the swells and it’s possible to sight fish for them, which is about as exciting as fishing gets.

3. Wintertime Wahoo: This time of year, wahoo pile up around the Bahamas. Some of the largest fish of the year will show up over the next couple of months.

High-speed trolling is the technique that allows captains to cover lots of water along rocky ledges, color changes, temperature breaks and dropoffs. ’Hoos hunt in packs, so multiple hook-ups and double-digit days are possible. This fishery requires some forethought and perhaps some flexibility. They bite best around the full and new moons, but you’ll definitely want to avoid fronts and those wicked north winds.

4. South Padre Island, Texas: Way down on

the Mexican border, South Padre Island is as far south as you can go in Texas. The winters are mild and the fishing is good year-round.

When water temps drop, snook pile into the canals and school up. These schools of fish can be giant, and they are suckers for artificials. At the same time, the grass flats experience the clearest water of the year. Redfish, big trout and black drum cruise the flats, where anglers can sight fish them in shin-deep water.

5.

Delayed Harvest

Trout: On the East Coast from Maryland down to Georgia, most states have developed robust delayed harvest trout fisheries which keep fly fishers on the stream through the winter. These specially regulated fisheries are catch-and-release only through the cooler months and most of them have single-hook, artificial-only regulations.

Most delayed harvest streams are heavily stocked, usually with some largerthan-normal hatchery fish. Since you can’t keep them, they stay in the creeks and rivers all winter long. Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are some of the states with excellent delayed harvest programs. See the state wildlife agency websites for information.

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DECEMBER CAN BE RED HOT

TIM BAREFOOT

For as long as I can remember, offshore bottom fishing is what we look forward to during the last half of November and the entire month of December. The week of Christmas has always been considered the apex of the bottom-fishing year.

You can see the move of the big snappers marching offshore on the edge of the colder water. This will pile big snapper and other bottom-dwelling species up on certain staging areas, along with a clean water temperature line that also stacks up the kings and wahoo. Keep a light line bait out while you’re bottom fishing. There is no telling what you’ll catch and on what baits.

Of course, I love a pinfish, grass grunts or sailors choice for grouper and snapper baits for more than one reason. 1) They get bites from the target species; and 2) they eliminate most of the trash bites from grunts, pinkies and sea bass.

Yes, I love a live bait on a jig, but don’t ever forget that a big grouper also loves a big chunk of cut bait. We have seen a huge uptick

in amberjack and almaco jacks in the past few years for some reason. This is an excellent bait source! I like to keep one of the first, smaller, amberjacks that come up just for this cut-

reason I take a couple boxes of squid on every trip. I start every new post-up on a ledge or live bottom area with everyone firing down whole squid every drop. I don’t care what they are catching. It’s usually grunts, pinkies or seabass, but what is really happening on the bottom is the squid are being ripped to shreds and small pieces are swirling around and creating a chum slick. After several volleys of whole squid, I change it up to live pinfish, grass grunts or other live baits on a jig.

Grouper and big snapper see the live bait as a smaller fish that was grabbed by a crab while feeding on small pieces of squid. It’s a winning technique that has been very successful for me and other Decoy Jig users for years now. It is also new to the fish, tackle-wise.

bait option. The big chunks of cut bait do two things. They get bites and they also create a “chum slick” on the bottom right where you are fishing. When the cut bait gets pecked at, all the small pieces of flesh swirl around as it’s being eaten.

This is one of the most important aspects of my bottom-fishing strategy. This is also the

The beauty of this cold water line moving farther offshore with every cold front creates opportunity for a variety of species. You never know; keep firing down cut bait and setting the hook on “strange feeling bites,” and you might even catch a big deep-water lobster like the one in the video below.

Check out some awesome bottom fishing videos at https://youtu.be/w1YmT6M0ObQ.

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PHOTO BY JOHN P RUGGERI

GO BIG OR GO SMALL INSHORE?

The question of lure size is often pondered in the fishing world. Different circumstance requires a different mentality, but one thing is for certain, the fish did not read any articles, attend any seminars or watch that YouTube video. They eat what they want, when they want, but I have an approach that I find useful in deciphering the riddle.

As winter approaches, it brings changes to our estuaries: cooler water temps, a change in the type and abundance of forage, less pressure from boaters, and in some areas, much better water clarity. There are two trains of thought on lure size when it comes to winter fishing in the bays. Should I go bigger or smaller? I know anglers who immediately upsize for the entire season, while others downsize for its duration. Both can be effective, but here is how I typically tackle early winter fishing.

Cooling water temps and increasing frequency of cold fronts put the fish on both spectrums of the feeding attitude. Unlike more stable weather patterns, when fish are less affected and feed more consistently, these fronts can make them, for a lack of a better term, moody.

Late fall and early winter can be some of the best inshore fishing of the year. Schools of bait flushed from the bays with the dropping tides are followed by hungry specks and reds. In these situations, I like to use a smaller lure. Generally, they feed on shrimp or smaller baitfish, and having a lure of similar size is a good idea. When they are following these schools, I like non-natural colors so the fish have something to key in on when bait is abundant. I like my lure’s color to stand out in the fall feeding frenzy.

Now, for the other end of the mood swing, the inactive period caused by post-frontal conditions. This is another situation when I favor smaller lures in early winter. When the bite is off, smaller offerings entice bites from non-aggressive fish. Using myself as an example, if I am not hungry, the chance of me driving to a restaurant for a steak dinner are slim, but I might grab a few peanuts for a quick bite just because they are on the counter.

The final reason is clearer water. Some

I hope these tips help you catch more fish

Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, Controlled Descent Lures™, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

bays I fish will have 1 to 2 feet of clear-green water in the summer, but 6 to 7 feet of air-clear water in winter. These fish are not accustomed to this transitional clarity. When I can see my lure bouncing in the sand in depths of 7 feet, a much smaller lure will produce more bites.

this winter, and next month I will explain my transition to larger lures as we press deeper into winter’s grip.

Capt.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

WATCH VIDEO

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FOR BOTTOM FRESHWATER!

Peacock Bass Luxury

By

Capt. Johnny Stabile and Gary Turner

Next stop Manaus, Brazil! It all started when my good friend Capt. Johnny Stabile called.

J: I know what you’re going to say before I even ask.

G: What is it?

J: Do you want to go Peacock fishing in Brazil?

G: When?

J: We would leave 13 days after our Alaska trip.

Of course, my response was, “Ok, sounds great!”

That would give me just enough time to get back from Alaska, fulfill orders for my business, and get things ready to head south. We flew out of Miami, and with a layover in Panama City, Panama met up with several other fishermen on the expedition. After a very long night of traveling, we finally landed in Brazil and hopped on a quick seaplane ride to the Rio Matupiri for six and a half days of non-stop fishing!

We stayed aboard the Amazon Legend with a very accommodating crew of 14. We ate like kings and fished hard. Our typical day of fishing consisted of getting up before the sun for a quick breakfast and loading into skiffs to spend the day zipping around to the guide’s best fishing spots. We threw a variety of lures, mostly topwaters like big choppers and walking baits. Johnny’s favorites of the trip were a Rebel Jumping Minnow and a Borboleta Woodstock 10.5 cm. He wore out the peacock bass on that Jumping Minnow. I threw bucktail jigs, and they produced the largest number of fish, but for Johnny it was all about the BIG’UNS!

Johnny loves to fly fish, so one special thing about fishing in Brazil for him was catching several nice fish on the fly rod with easy-to-tie flies that he made myself. These fish are so much more aggressive than the peacock bass you find in south Florida. For a little perspective, we caught more than 350 peacocks and more than 50 piranha along with several other exotic species. The average peacock was 2 to 3 pounds, and Johnny’s biggest weighed more than 8 pounds. One person in our party caught

a big peacock that pulled the scales to nearly 14 pounds.

After a long morning of non-stop action, sometimes we would take a quick lunch break and hide in the shade of a tree for a wonderful shore lunch. The guides packed everything for remote meals on land, where they cooked native fare on an open fire. While they cooked, we relaxed in hammocks with plenty of cold drinks and the opportunity for a quick nap before lunch was served. Many of the fish we caught contributed to these lunches, and there were also steaks and chicken available with all the fixins. Homemade salsa and native

seasonings complimented the meals perfectly. After a relaxing lunch, it was back on the skiff and back in the action!

After afternoons of fishing, we indulged in five-star dining and the most important part of the trip, air conditioning! The crew made up our rooms, did our laundry and prepared dinner every

evening. Specialty cocktails were also provided, if that’s your fancy, but Johnny’s favorite was the freshly squeezed juices. He’s already looking forward to the passion fruit juice when we return next year!

If you are interested in a Brazilian fishing adventure, e-mail Johnny at captain@SFLFishingCharters.com or Gary at gary@purgeright.com.

Go Prepared For A Cold-Weather Accident

It’s wintertime, when the fishing can be fantastic but the risks involved with being on the water increase dramatically. No one expects to get wet when they head out on a cold day, but it happens. This time of year, accidentally going overboard can be fatal even in calm conditions.

Hypothermia is when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in the body’s core temperature dropping to 95 degrees or lower. The outward symptoms, such as shivering, pale skin and confusion, are indicators of hypothermia. Advanced stages of this condition can be fatal.

However, the most dangerous part of taking a dive for boaters may occur before hypothermia even has a chance to set in. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, cold-water immersion causes many fatalities each year. It follows four stages: cold shock, swimming failure, hypothermia and postrescue collapse. Most cold-water drowning fatalities are attributed to the first two stages.

Swimming to the back of the boat and climbing in may seem simple, but failing this easy task kills people every winter. The initial shock of submergence in cold water causes panic and confusion, followed by heavy breathing that can lead to hyperventilation. Many faint and drown before they even have the chance to calm down. The body also fatigues much more quickly in this state. Know that this initial shock is a physical reaction. It will occur initially no matter how levelheaded

you are. The key is to calm down, assess the situation rationally and get out of the water safely.

If you make it back in the boat, hypothermia can still kill you. You’re going to need warm, dry clothes and a blanket or heat source to help your body retain heat and regain its normal temperature. Drying off, getting out of the wind and getting warm are essential. Again, if you’ve got the necessary gear onboard, it seems like an easy task. But the confusion, lack of coordination and poor decision making that accompany hypothermia will make easy tasks difficult.

It can be dangerous, but taking a coldweather dive is not a death sentence. Knowing

the danger and being a little more safety conscious will decrease the odds of putting yourself in a bad situation.

Consider wearing a lifejacket while fishing in cold weather even if you normally don’t. Try to fish with a buddy who will be there to provide a helping hand getting out of the water and getting warm if an accident does happen. And keep the necessary safety items in the vessel where you can get to them. A towel, a change of clothes and an emergency blanket could be the best defense against hypothermia.

Finally, take just a minute to think about what you would do if you happened to fall in. Having a plan of action in mind will help offset the panic and confusion if an accident happens.

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Situated riverfront and surrounded by the natural springs of King’s Bay, Plantation on Crystal River is an ideal setting for travelers of all ages and interests to enjoy endless outdoor activities. From boating and fishing to scalloping and wildlife encounters, visitors from around the globe travel to Florida’s Nature Coast to enjoy the organic assets of this dynamic destination. And before or after these unique activities, guests can enjoy the full-service restaurant, lobby bar and tiki bar conveniently located on property. For international travelers, transportation is convenient with nearby international airports, including Tampa International Airport only 70 miles away, and Orlando International airport just 90 miles away. To follow is just a sampling of the abundance of available outdoor pursuits.

Monday: Sangria Monday – Enjoy our featured sangria of the month for just $7.

December’s Flavor: Vanilla Bourbon Sangria

Tuesday: Tequila Tuesday - $8 for our featured tequila of the month (no substitutions).

December’s Tequila: Salt Chocolate Tequila

Wednesday: Wine Wednesday - $10 off any bottle of wine with dinner purchase

Thursday: Thirsty Thursday – Take $2 off any of Plantation’s Signature Cocktails or Glasses of Wine. Featuring the soulful Louie Fortunato live entertainment.

FLORIDA ANGLER TIES GEORGIA POMPANO RECORD

In November the Georgia Department of Natural Resources certified a fish that tied the state record for Florida pompano. The fish, which weighed 1 pound, 7.68 ounces, was caught by a Florida woman who was at St. Simons Island, Ga. volunteering at a youth fishing tournament.

Cathy Sanders, of Palm Coast, Fla., landed her record-tying pomp while surf fishing on St. Simons Island on Oct. 9. Her catch tied the previous record holder, Laura Cheek, who landed a 1-pound, 7-ounce pompano on Sea Island in 1982. Sanders’ pompano was 12 inches fork length.

Sanders was volunteering with the Kids Can Fish Foundation’s Running of the Bulls youth tournament when she caught the fish. She was surf fishing with a 12-foot Okuma Rockaway rod and Okuma Rockaway 6000 reel. As bait, she used Fishbites EZ Crab (Electric Chicken) with Sinker Guys glass beads and salted shrimp on 20-pound high visibility monofilament. Her terminal rig was a 2/0 circle hook on a double drop rig with 3-ounce Guy Sputnik sinker.

Under the rules of the Georgia Saltwater Game Fish Records Program, Sanders’ catch qualified as a tie because it weighed more than the current record, but did not exceed the record by more than 4 ounces.

The IGFA all-tackle world record Florida Pompano weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces. It was caught by Barry Huston in St. Joe Bay, Fla. in 1999.

See Georgia’s saltwater records at CoastalGaDNR.org/SaltwaterRecords.

This Isn’t the Panfish of Your Youth

More often than not, panfish were the fish that introduced most anglers to the sport. The term “panfish” is used to describe any of the commonly found species that usually never grow bigger than the size a frying pan. Most of them are legal to keep, regardless of size.

These are species known as sunfish, bluegills, red eyes, rock bass, pumpkinseeds and countless other names, often depending on the region. But this article is about a different kind of panfish, and one that was naturally found only in other countries.

The Mayan cichlid is native to southeastern Mexico and the waters of Central America’s Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua and Guatemala. The first reported non-indigenous population was recorded here in Florida Bay in 1983. Due to their adaptability and south Florida’s favorable climate and water conditions, they now can be found in great numbers from the canals in Miami to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, and almost all inland waters between.

Mayan cichlids are a freshwater species, but are known to thrive under a variety of environmental conditions, from a wide range of salinity to low oxygen conditions, and

By Rex Hannon

therefore can inhabit most waters in this region.

This oval-shaped fish has spiny anal and dorsal fins, and it ranges in color from olive green to a light brown, with darker vertical bars. During breeding season, their colors become vibrant, and their throats and fin edges glow bright red to orange, which earned them the nickname “atomic sunfish” or “orange tiger.” Similar to their cousins the peacock bass and the oscar, they sport a black spot and ring on the tail to confuse predators. The Mayan’s spot is black with a turquoise ring.

Mayan cichlids are a very attractive sporting species that offers strong fights on light and fly fishing tackle. Mayans readily take a variety of natural baits as well as small artificial lures and flies. The countless canals, lakes and neighborhood ponds of south Florida are full of these amazing little fighters and many other species. I am a fly fisherman, and Clouser’s Minnow or any small baitfish pattern, along with a Gurgler work well for this aggressive feeder.

I would recommend an outfit in the 7/8 weight range, because cichlids share these

snook, juvenile tarpon, tilapia and largemouth bass in these locations.

Mayan cichlids are not considered invasive, although they are non-native. They have no season or bag limit, and harvest is encouraged. They have white flaky meat with a mild flavor and are considered very good table fare.

I will not offer an opinion on just how this species found its way to this region, but I believe they’re here to stay. We might as well fish for them.

Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley County is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts, sports buffs, adventure seekers, and water lovers. From exemplary fishing for striped bass, or a trophy largemouth bass, to our hiking trails and water activities, along with scenic outdoors where you can catch a glimpse of white tail deer and gators, Berkeley County has activities to fit all visitors and families.

The waters of Berkeley County, SC, have been a wellspring of natural beauty, culture, and adventure for millennia; people have been coursing the intricate and beautiful waterways of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, with its tall cypresses, sunken forests, and abundant wildlife, for thousands of years.

Twenty-five distinct paddling trails over 235 miles of waterways make up the Berkeley County Blueway system, a hidden world of stunning natural splendor. Packed into this area—the largest paddling trail system in the Southeast—are kayaking and paddling opportunities for all different skill and difficulty levels.

Berkely County lakes make up one of South Carolina’s largest and most beloved freshwater resources. Fishing here is among the best in the state, across the flats of Lake Marion to the open waters of Lake Moultrie. Abundant catfish, bass, and crappie await.

Awaken your sense of adventure in these pristine waters. The Lowcountry is waiting for you at ExploreBerkeleyCounty.com.

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COLD FRONTS BRING BLACK DRUM TO THE INLETS

With the mullet run over and the cold setting in, our target species begin to change. Most of the high-energy fish like jacks and tarpon slow down during winter. So we turn our attention to already slow bottom-feeding fish that aren’t as affected by cooler water. Black drum are a highly praised bottom-feeder. Not only do they taste delicious, they grow to amazing trophy size.

Black drum are in the drum family with redfish, but they are different in appearance and their way of living. Black drum have a high arched back compared to most fish that levels out toward the tail. These fish are a darkish gray or black with some tones of brown that fade to a lighter belly. Normally, juveniles have four to six vertical bars on their side, similar to sheepshead. The bars fade with age.

Black drum have barbels or whiskers on their lower jaw like catfish. These barbels are used to smell mollusks and other prey in the sand, which the drum digs out. They then use rows

of molar-like pharyngeal teeth to crush mussels, crabs and other hard-shelled creatures. These teeth line the top and bottom of their mouths and can extend to the back of their throat.

Black drum live from Texas all the way up past New Jersey. They congregate around structures like bridges and docks. However, they also can be found in bays, river mouths, oyster beds and along beaches. Juveniles are mostly found in estuaries.

As these fish begin to spawn in the colder months, they move toward flowing inlets. Just like red drum, they participate in mass freespawning, where they release sperm and eggs while grouped together in flowing water. The pre-spawn move to the inlets gives anglers plenty of time to target them in groups.

Jalon Tomlinson enjoys targeting black drum during peak season. He said fishing is best during cold fronts on an outgoing tide. He uses a chicken rig with a 3- to 4-ounce pyramid sinker or a Carolina rig with a 3-ounce egg sinker and

By Emily Hanzlik

a 2/0 hook. He recommends a 40-pound leader because powerful fish heavier than 30-pounds are a real possibility. Ideal baits are fresh dead shrimp or old stinky shrimp. However, Tomlinson has also caught them on crabs and sand fleas.

Tomlinson catches some monster drum with this technique, but he prefers to keep the 14- to 28-inchers because they’re better to eat. In Florida, there is a daily bag limit of five per harvester, with a slot size of 14 to 24 inches. One fish is allowed over the 24-inch slot.

The IGFA all-tackle world record black drum weighed an amazing 113 pounds, 1 ounce and was caught out of Lewes, Delaware.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 56 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on Social Media @ emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

GEAR UP FOR THE NEW YEAR

SeaStar Standard Trim Tab System

Dometic has redefined the ease of use and practicality of a basic trim tab system. Featuring an intuitive dial controller, you can easily adjust the pitch and roll to get your boat on plane quickly and efficiently. A programmable favorites button makes for effortless operation. While its innovative, rugged design and autoretract feature, ensure reliability and safety on the water, whatever the conditions.

DIAL IN THE RIDE WITH NEW SEASTAR STANDARD TRIM TABS

Aboat that isn’t trimmed properly can pound through the waves for an uncomfortable, wet ride and even suck up considerably more fuel than it should. It can even be unsafe in challenging weather conditions.

Properly adjusting a boat’s trim tabs has an amazing positive affect on how a boat drives and feels, and can make a significant improvement in speed and fuel economy. The challenge has always been the “trial and error” aspect of trim tab operation. Adjusting port and starboard tabs individually with traditional toggle switches is not very intuitive–especially when you are faced with constantly changing dynamics throughout the day, as wind and waves change and people move and shift around the boat, altering the balance of weight.

Dometic Marine’s new SeaStar standard trim tabs are designed to make trim tab adjustment second nature to operators of all types of boats. The heart of this trim tab system is an intuitive dial controller that lets boaters easily “dial-in” the optimum ride for any situation. All the boater needs to do is turn the dial in the direction he wants to level the boat, and the electric actuators respond quickly and precisely to level the ride. Easy-to-see LED lights on the controller indicate port and starboard tab positions, with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness for optimum visibility in any environment.

There are also single press Bow Up and Bow Down inputs for manual adjustment. This allows the boater to adjust the attitude of the boat without affecting roll, and vice versa, for precision ride tuning. This intelligent

The all-electric trim tab actuators utilize a planetary gearbox, high-torque DC motor and freewheeling ball screw mechanism for instant response and quiet operation. A rugged housing and simple two-piece design minimize water intrusion points and features dual housing seals, a rear seal in a protected bushing area, and a wiper that removes particles from the shaft and protects the rear seal. The result is a trim tab system built for the long run in the harsh marine environment.

The system is designed for use with heavyduty SeaStar stainless steel trim tabs, yet it can also be integrated with a boat’s existing tabs.

Troubled Atlantic Striped Bass Stocks Trend Upward

For the first time in a while, fisheries managers are reporting some good news about striped bass populations on the Atlantic Coast. In early November, The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) accepted an updated 2022 stock assessment that looks good enough that no additional harvest cuts will be needed.

This stock assessment found that rockfish stocks are still overfished but they are not currently experiencing overfishing. The female spawning biomass appears to have been on a modest upward trend for at least the last three years, but at an estimated 143 million pounds is still far below the 235-million-pound target for rebuilding.

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Currently, a reduction in catch is not needed, and the rebuilding program is on schedule to declare the striped bass stock rebuilt by 2029.

“This 2022 assessment was the first check-in point for progress toward stock rebuilding by 2029,” said Board Chair Marty Gary with the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. “It is extremely important that we continue to monitor fishery removals and conduct regular stock assessments to keep evaluating rebuilding progress and stay on track.”

The next stock assessment update is

PHOTO BY: RICHARD DEMARTE

This is an easy fly pattern to tie – much like the Copper John. The abdomen ribbing effect comes from using two colors of fine colored wire, one bright color and one a contrasting dark color. The thorax is dubbed. Goose biots provide the forked tail and two legs on each side of the thorax. A bead head is prescribed but may be omitted if some underbody of substitute lead is used for weighting under the thorax. The two wires provide some weight regardless.

Actual stonefly nymphs are typically, black, brown or rusty brown, and golden or tan in larger siz-es (4-12) as well as black, yellow, and green in smaller sizes (14-18). For example, a Black

Two Wired Stonefly Nymph may have an abdomen ribbed with hot orange wire and black wire; UTC medium. The tiny winter black stonefly nymphs would be imitated with UTC small wire of the same colors. A Brown Two

Wired Stonefly Nymph may have an abdomen ribbed with silver wire and amber or rust wire; UTC medium. A Golden Two Wired Stonefly Nymph may have an abdo-men ribbed with hot yellow wire and copper wire; UTC medium. The little yellow and little green stonefly nymphs would be imitated with UTC small wire of the same colors as the larger golden stonefly.

The amount of weight determines how fast the nymph fly pattern will sink toward the bottom. The slowest rate may be achieved by omitting the bead and depending only on the two wires of the ab-domen. The fastest rate may be achieved with a tungsten bead. White goose biots may be used to make the nymph fly pattern stand out on a dark bottom but typically the goose biots color is natu-rally matched to the color of the nymph.

In North Carolina mountain streams, the golden stonefly

nymph is highly effective, thus the hot yellow and copper wire combination is a good choice.

Two Wired Stonefly Nymph Hook: Nymph hook Size: 6,8,10,12,14,16

Thread: 8/0 to match body Tail: Goose Biots to match pattern Abdomen: Two alternate colors of UTC wire to match pattern

Wings: Goose Biots to match pattern

Thorax Dub: Buggy to match pattern

Directions: Detailed tying steps may be found at the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited at www.rockyrivertu.org/dry-flypatterns.html.

By Tom Adams and Alen Baker

Alen D, Baker

Tom Adams

The One-Stop Shop for Buyers in 2023

Surf Expo is gearing up for its upcoming in-person trade show to be held Jan. 4-6, 2023 in Orlando, Fla. at the West Hall of the Orange County Convention Center.

Surf Expo’s January show has become known as a one-stop shop to preview and get a first-hand look at the latest and greatest apparel and accessories that will lead the industry in 2023.

A few of the brands featured in the Bluewater section are AFTCO, HUK, Toadfish, Marsh Wear, Bajio, Dark Seas, Salty Crew, i-Sea, XTRATUF, CHUMS, Hey Dude, KEEN, Guy Harvey, Saltwater Born, Kangaroo Coolers, Reel Legends, Bimini Bay Outfitters, Lake Time Supply Co, Coyote Eyewear USA, Skinny Water Culture, Croakies, Preston 1947 by Ebinger Bros, Tormenter Ocean and many more.

There are quite a few new brands you’ll find in Bluewater making their Surf Expo debut, including Grateful Diver, Redfin, Palmetto Chair & Umbrella, Push to Star, Boat Bitch Apparel, Burnside, Columbia SPG and more.

The Bluewater section was designed with the buyer in mind—so they can see all the key inshore and offshore apparel and accessory brands in one location. They’ll find products ranging from lifestyle and technical apparel to footwear, outerwear, sportswear, t-shirts, sunglasses, gear and lots more.

Steven “Fish” Fisher, Surf Expo’s senior buyer relations manager works directly with buyers from marinas, outfitters, boat dealers and bait & tackle shops, “There’s a definite need for product, people from Florida and across the U.S. as well as the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and all over the globe are registering and excited to come,” he said.

“We work hard to listen to and take care of all our customers, including brand exhibitors and retail buyers,” said Emerald SVP and Surf Expo Show Director Roy Turner. “We are thrilled that the winter show continues to grow post pandemic and are excited to welcome an impressive list of brands to Orlando.”

Features of the show will include the Bluewater Lounge, the 2023 Florida Shape Off, educational sessions led by The Underswell’s Derek Sabori and Retail Smart Guys’ own Dan Jablons, plus fashion shows, happy hours and networking events. Surf Expo will be announcing its full line up of special events in the coming weeks.

Registration is free for qualified buyers. For more information, contact steven.fisher@surfexpo.com. For more information on the upcoming show, visit www.surfexpo.com.

Tips For Wintertime Trout

Trout like cold water, but there’s no denying the slow down that occurs on most wintertime trout fisheries. When water temps fall into the low 40s and below, insect life and other food sources are less prevalent. Trout metabolisms slow and they go into energy-conservation mode. They are content to hover near the bottom out of heavy current and feed only when an easy opportunity arises.

That said, fish still need to eat, and intrepid anglers will find joy in the seclusion of a wintertime trout stream. Here are some tips to raise the odds of a great wintertime trout trip. Dress warmly, wade carefully and savor the taste of the ice you suck from your rod guides.

1) Choose Destinations Wisely: Winter is not the time to explore high-elevation brook trout streams. Instead, float a tailwater, where water temps are consistent year-round, or go to lower elevation streams that are a bit warmer. For a target-rich environment, try out a delayed-harvest fishery. They are stocked heavily through the cooler months.

2) Fish Warm Spells: Two or three days of consistently warmer weather are primetime in terms of winter trout fishing. Everything in the stream, from the trout to the bugs and baitfish

they eat, perks up.

By Nick Carter

By the same logic, the best bite is usually during the warmest part of the day. Sun warms the shallows, bringing out the tiny little midges, black stoneflies and blue-winged olives that are wintertime staples. Even if the action is subsurface, trout will take advantage of easy feeding opportunities.

3)Fish Meticulously: Unless trout are visibly rising, subsurface is the way to go. Turn your attention away from the riffles where rainbows pop dry flies in spring, and look to the deeper, slower runs. Pick them apart with nymph rigs. Keep in mind that most winter food items will be small, but fish a variety of sizes and patterns at the same time and cover every inch of each run vertically and horizontally. The idea is to hit a fish in

the nose, and this is best achieved fishing slowly and carefully.

If you want to tempt a giant trout, it’s a good time to dead drift a big streamer with the same meticulous patience. Don’t hesitate to fish a heavy streamer deep under an indicator. Sometimes a big mouthful is enough to convince a lockjawed bruiser to eat.

4) Fish Safely: Flooding your waders can kill you when it’s frigid. During cold snaps, consider fishing near the truck, where a quick jog can put you in a heated cab if you get wet. If you do go into the backcountry, take a drybag with fire-starting equipment, a towel and a change of clothes.

Wherever you fish, wade carefully, avoid stepping on frozen-over rocks, kick any snow off your boots before entering the water and avoid taking chances like wading deep water or heavy flows.

Nick Carter is the author of “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” Contact him at nsc8957@gmail.com.

TIPS FROM A PRO A

JERKBAITS AND BAITFISH

TYLER WOOLCOTT

jerkbait is a good idea whenever baitfish are plentiful. A jerkbait’s natural movement, size and resemblance to what the fish are already eating make this bait deadly.

There are many scenarios I would consider good times to throw a jerkbait. One of the best situations you can encounter is when fish are actively feeding on baitfish and schooling. When bass are doing this, throwing a natural-baitfish-colored, shallow-diving jerkbait is an awesome way to replicate a dying baitfish. It flat out gets bit, even when you can’t find anything else they will touch.

Another awesome way to use a jerkbait is to blind cast in areas where bass are staged up and feeding. If you can identify baitfish already in an area, this makes the scenario even better. A lot of times this pattern sets up along grass lines, rip-rap banks and in pockets close to areas bass use to spawn. Depending on water clarity, I like a naturalcolored jerkbait or one with a little bit of chartreuse. Use a shallow or deep-diving jarkbait to match the depth you’re targeting.

Jerkbaits are also a great option for bass that are suspended with bait. Typically these fish are less pressured because they are harder to find. You’ll need to spend some

time searching with your electronics, but finding this scenario and knowing how to target the bass can line up as some of the most fun fishing you can imagine. This can

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happen anywhere, but typically it occurs on points and pockets where fish can ambush the bait easier.

I use forward sonar after I locate an active area and use the jerkbait to imitate the bait these fish are chasing in the water column. Typically, a shallow-diving jerkbait like a 13 Fishing Loco Special will work absolute wonders if you can get a fish to see it amongst the other baitfish.

Picking colors can get a bit confusing, as there are so many different options. I keep this decision as simple as possible and use only two different colors… ever. 13 Fishing makes a lot of natural colors as well as colors that stand out in dirty water. My go-to color is Casper Shad; it’s one of the most natural shad patterns you can get. Another color they make that is awesome in stained water is Neon Disco Shad.

With jerkbaits, I like a shorter rod, something between a 6’10” and a 7’. Actionwise, I like a medium-fast, which allows the fish to get the bait when you feel them hit it. The 13 Fishing Omen Black 6’10” MF is absolutely perfect. Reel selection doesn’t need to be too complicated. A 7:0:1 ratio allows you to work the bait and pick up line at the perfect pace. For line, I like 10- to 12-pound-test, and Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon is a very good line for the job.

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

Just In Tme for the Holidays!

Recreation, culture and history abound in the Western North Carolina county of Madison.

Madison County is located 15 miles north of Asheville on the North Carolina/Tennessee border in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia. There are many attractions in our 452 square mile area, of which 73 percent is forest. Nearly one fourth is public land managed by the US Forest Service.

Madison County Visitors Center 56 South Main, Mars Hill, NC 28754 • (828) 680-9031 www.visitmadisoncounty.com

Confessions Of A Trout Addict

By Capt. Gus Brugger

A GRAND TOUR OF THE SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAINS

The author with a nice San Juan River rainbow trout that took a size 22 midge dry fly.

Iam addicted to trout fishing. There you go, I admit it. Not that watered down saltwater trout fishing, no not me; I am stuck on the hard stuff. I get this uncontrollable craving to travel great distances, climb mountains, hike canyons and risk life and limb wading, sometimes chest deep, in rushing torrents of icy water in search of trout, which are most times the size of baitfish we use in my home waters of Florida.

It is hard to justify and even harder to explain this behavior to people, like my wife, who don’t have the affliction. I think it is genetic, as my son is showing the early signs and has only donned the waders and vest on a handful of occasions. I can only advise that if you continue to read on and someday find yourself alone

in a magnificent canyon, waist deep in frigid water trying for the fifth time to get that 14-inch brown trout to eat one of your flies instead of the live bugs floating by, don’t blame me, I warned you, it’s addictive.

My latest craving was satiated with a 10-day trout binge in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Northern New Mexico. I took the trip with my new friend Wayne, who recently purchased a home using my services as a realtor in the paradise that is Sebastian, Fla. We combined our knowledge and our list of friends that always have an extra bed or couch for us to use and hopped a plane to Denver. After a night in Silverthorne, Colo. at my guide buddy Kevin Williams’

Alone in a canyon on the San Juan River, New Mexico.

home, we got an early start for a float trip with Kevin down a stretch of the Colorado River north of Vail.

The river and the weather conditions were near perfect, and I started hooking trout on small nymphs before we got out of sight of the launch ramp. The quality and quantity of the brown and rainbow trout were both above average. We each took at least a couple fish over 17 inches fly fishing with nymphs, the largest a 20-inch brown. We finished up, thanked Kevin for his hospitality and drove south toward the Arkansas River valley.

The Arkansas River drainage has been a productive mining area since Zebulon Pike first mapped it in the early 1800s. The river has suffered over the years from pollution from old mine seepage, but massive efforts have cleaned it up. We

were assured by some of Wayne’s local guide buddies that “The Ark” was better than ever. We stayed near Salida, Colo. at “The Old Cooper,” a 35-acre ranch owned by Wayne’s friend and local real estate broker Bruce Lind. The Arkansas River offered a lot of easy public access from the road that runs from its headwaters in Leadville to Canyon City, Colo., almost 100 miles downstream. Caddis and small mayfly nymphs caught most of the fish, but hatches of midges and blue-winged olive mayflies provided some dry fly action as well. The Arkansas is a fisherman’s river and offers a wide variety of water types all of which hold trout.

Our next destination was south of the border in New Mexico on the San Juan River below the Navajo Dam. This

tailwater is a rainbow trout factory. The stories I had heard of packs of 2to 4-pound rainbows following you as you wade the stream were true. This did not make these fish pushovers, but it did allow you enough opportunities to present flies to large trout that you could finally figure it out. As with tailwater fisheries anywhere, much of the trout’s diet consists of insects that are just this side of microscopic. Midge and mayfly patterns in size 20 and smaller are the standard. Although this area is a very popular destination, it is large enough and so full of fish that even an isolationist like me found a spot I could be alone and catch trophy fish with freakish regularity.

Our final stop was at a river that has made many great memories for me

over the years, the Gunnison River at the Pleasure Park, just outside of Delta, Colo. This area is just below the Black Canyon, a true natural wonder. Access at the Pleasure Park allows anglers to hike upstream and fish the last 3 miles of the Gunnison tailwater before the canyon walls become too steep to allow access. The fish and the bugs they feed on come in all sizes. The day we fished I landed brown and rainbow trout from 3 inches to 3 pounds, which is testament to the healthy population of wild trout in this river.

Not a month has past since returning to sunny Sebastian, Fla., and I am already hearing the siren song of cold clear water flowing over moss covered stones. Next stop, the north Georgia mountains.

The waters and beauty of the Gunnison River at the Pleasure Park, located just outside of Delta, Colorado.

Searching for a New Adventure?

The moment you set foot in London, Kentucky it’s obvious you’ve entered someplace different. In the breathtaking outdoors of Laurel River Lake you get the sense you’re on the verge of something new and at the threshold of an unforgettable adventure. VisitLondonKY.com

LURES

FIGHTING FISH AT LONG DISTANCE

PATRICK SEBILE

It’s on! You made a very long cast, and within a few cranks a fish grabs your lure and you’re engaged in a fight!

Long distance lures allow you to hook-up with fish other anglers can’t reach, but fighting fish with so much line out presents complications, mostly in the form of environmental elements the angler does not control.

If you’re fishing from a flat sandy beach on a calm day with no waves, little current and no floating sargassum, then nothing is different. Just fight the fish and enjoy it. But when fighting a fish at great distance, elements like current or obstacles such as rocks or weeds become magnified threats to successfully landing the fish. The more line you have in the water, the less direct influence you have on the fish. The fish has more freedom to swim sideways or even directly at you. There’s a greater chance your line will snag an encrusted boulder or load up with floating grass. Ripping currents and wave action are more pronounced during the fight, and fish— especially bigger ones—will use this to pull away.

Here are tactics to better fight fish from long distances.

• Keep the rod tip up and hold it high to keep as much line as possible out of the water or high in the water column. This limits the risk of snags and reduces drag on the line. I sometimes put the rod butt against my shoulder and hold the rod almost vertically to gain as much height as possible.

• When a fish swims or is pushed by waves or current into a snagprone area, it’s often counter productive to crank down and pull directly against the fish. Pulling hard works OK on small or mediumsized fish, but with larger fish I like to angle the rod horizontally and sideways in the direction the fish is going. It’s like judo in that you use the fish’s momentum against it. By pulling the fish sideways, instead of directly against it, it will curve toward you. This is unconventional, but it has saved fish for me a number of times.

• When fish use strong currents during the fight, walk with them. Try to walk the same speed the fish is moving with the current and continue picking up line.

• Use a power-pull to put a lot of pressure on big fish. Keep the rod at a 30 to 45 degree angle from horizontal, and walk backward at constant speed. When I was guiding in Africa for tiger sharks and giant tarpon, this was the best way to bring fish closer to shore.

Legendary angler Patrick Sebile is a world record holder and an award-winning designer of innovative lures and fishing gear. Check out his creations at abandofanglers.com.

DISCOVER THE LITHIUM DIFFERENCE WITH THE DAKOTA LITHIUM 36V 63AH BATTERY

Used by Bass Master Elite fisherman Brock Mosley and two time back to back Bass Master Classic Champion Hank Cherry, Dakota Lithium is the choice of champions and trusted by professional tournament anglers for those long days on the water.

The Dakota Lithium 36V 63Ah battery will allow you to fish longer with twice the power, half the weight, and four times the lifespan than your old sealed lead acid or AGM batteries –providing exceptional lifetime value. All backed by the Dakota lithium legendary 11 year warranty.

Join the Lithium Revolution now! Use the code coastalangler for 10% off on your next purchase at dakotalithium.com

CHIPOLA RIVER SHOALIES ARE ON THE COMEBACK

If you’re not familiar with shoal bass, they are a distinct species of black bass that evolved to inhabit the riverine shoals of the Apalachicola River Basin in Florida. They are considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission because they are native only to one drainage worldwide, and habitat in that drainage was forever altered by dams.

The Chipola River, which roughly bisects the Panhandle to join the Apalachicola River at Sumatra, Fla., is home to Florida’s only known reproducing population of shoal bass, and it is potentially the species’ most genetically pure population. Farther north, Georgia’s Chattahoochee and Flint rivers are part of the same drainage. There, shoal bass are considered an excellent sportfish. They grow to weights heavier than 9-pounds and offer a unique opportunity for anglers, especially fly fishers, because they inhabit swift-water shoals and will

readily slam artificial lures, topwaters and flies.

Shoal bass are in trouble in Florida, and FWC is on the case. In 2018, the Chipola River population of shoal bass was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Michael. Impacts from the storm resulted in nearly a 90 percent decline in the population. In May, 2022, biologists with the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management released 3,300 1- to 2-inch genetically pure, hatchery-spawned shoal bass from the Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development Center into the Chipola River.

Recent sampling discovered the released fish have made a significant contribution to the existing population. DNA analysis of fin clips taken from shoal bass collected during these sampling events confirmed that 65 percent of the yearlings collected were from fish produced and released by Blackwater Hatchery. These stocked shoal bass had grown to 4 to 6 in the four months since being stocked. Additionally,

data suggests these stocked fish may comprise nearly 20 percent of the entire shoal bass population in the river.

“The shoal bass population in the Chipola River has become a top priority of fisheries biologists within the northwest region of Florida since Hurricane Michael,” said Fisheries Biologist Andy Strickland. “Management actions to suspend harvest and successfully stock shoal bass have yielded positive results for this unique black bass species.”

FWC biologists anticipate stocking additional hatchery reared shoal bass in the Chipola River in the spring of 2023 to increase the number of genetically pure fish in the population and eventually restore population numbers to pre-Hurricane Michael levels.

Currently a catch-and-release-only regulation is in effect for shoal bass on the Chipola River and its tributaries.

To learn more, visit MyFWC/Freshwater.

By TAM Staff

SUZUKI MARINE USA INTRODUCES NEW DF350AMD/DF300BMD OUTBOARD MOTORS

Suzuki’s Flagship V6 Outboards First to Feature Integrated Steering, New Streamlined Lower Gear Case

Suzuki Marine, USA LLC has launched two new additions to its powerful line-up of outboard motors — the new-for-2023 DF350AMD and DF300BMD V6 4-strokes. Suzuki Marine USA unveiled these new models today before the boating industry, press and boating public during the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

“We’ve made these flagships of our fleet even better by adding some innovative new features that improve performance, durability and ease of rigging on a wide variety of boats,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Suzuki Marine Executive Vice President Sales & Service. “We listened to our boat building partners, our dealers and our customers and used their input to make our best motors even better. This has always been the Suzuki way,” added Blakely.

These 350 and 300 horsepower models with contra-rotating twin propellers are the first Suzuki outboards to offer the benefits of advanced integrated steering. Integrated steering allows for more streamlined rigging of these V6 outboards on a range of inshore, offshore and freshwater boats, while also providing a cleaner appearance in the motor well. Because integrated steering eliminates concerns about interference and clearance issues created by external steering cylinders, boat builders can more easily rig these popular outboards on a variety of hull types in single or multiple engine configurations.

Integrated steering also reduces the possibility of the steering cylinder hitting the motor well if the outboard is tilted too far forward.

Suzuki has also engineered a new lower gear case for the DF350AMD and DF300BMD (also available on all five series 350A/300B models), designed to enhance durability, increase top-speed performance, improve fuel efficiency and make maintenance and service easier. The new design delivers superior gear lubrication and maintains the gear oil at a lower temperature, increasing durability and reliability over the long run — even in the toughest operating conditions.

The external surface area of this new gear case has also been reduced and reshaped, allowing the lower unit to slice through the water with less resistance. By doing this, Suzuki is able to deliver a marked improvement in both fuel efficiency and top-end performance for today’s boats. This streamlined gear case has the added benefit of reducing the amount of gear oil required from 3.2L to 2.8L. This new gear case also features a new oil passage that allows users to easily change the gear oil with Suzuki’s gear oil changer without having to lift the boat. This improvement will

make it easier for boaters to stay on top of scheduled maintenance and keep their new Suzuki’s running strong season after season.

These new flagship models offer all the advanced technology and performance boaters expect from Suzuki’s popular DF350A and DF300B models (which will still be available in their original configuration). In addition to the proven performance and efficiency benefits of Suzuki’s dual-prop system, these motors boast a long list of features including a unique dual-louver air intake system, dual fuel injectors, variable valve timing, a self-adjusting timing chain, offset driveshaft design, Suzuki Lean Burn Technology, and more.

To learn more about the new DF350AMD and DF300BMD V6 4-strokes, or Suzuki Marine’s industry leading line-up of outboard motors from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, contact Suzuki Marine USA headquarters at (813) 687-7200 or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

MONSTER SMALLIE IS GREAT LAKES RECORD

Ohio Angler Gregg Gallagher caught a 10.15-pound smallmouth bass on Nov. 3 that once certified should be a new Lake Erie record. The 23 ¾-inch fish is also the largest bronzeback ever caught from the Great Lakes.

Gallagher told In-Fisherman his fish was the result of his son’s extensive time surveying bait and bottom structure. With sonar, they were able to do what some call video-game fishing and target individual fish with drop shot rigs. He was fishing 8-pound test.

“With an abundance of baitfish and unique bottom composition located after long days behind the graphs, we dropped down our forward-facing sonar and we were able to individually target these pelagic-esque smallmouth,” he told InFisherman. “On what turned out to be the most memorable cast of my life, my bait got hit before it even hit the bottom and my rod quickly doubled over. I honestly thought I had hooked into a sheephead and not a smallmouth. We quickly learned we had just caught the smallmouth of a lifetime.”

The monster smallmouth is the only certified 10-plus-pounder ever caught from the Great Lakes. It should beat out the Canadian record of 9.84 pounds, which was set 68 years ago. It is also heavier than the Ohio state record, which weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces and was caught in 1993.

The world record smallmouth bass weighed 11 pounds, 15 ounces. It was caught from Tennessee’s Dale Hollow Lake in 1955.

For more giant fish, go to coastalanglermag.com.

bottom, especially in Sandusky Bay. Lastly, bluegill in the marinas on fire biting small baits and it is always a fun time getting the kids and catching a nice meal. Wherever your line casts, expect good things month as Lake Erie never disappoints!

always if you're looking to book a walleye or perch charter ask for me at Breeze Charters @ 877-616-7780 (seabreezecharters.com) and ask for Jonny Fickert.

Before the bonanza of the much-anticipated fall fishing frenzy even ends, you can be assured that a sizable number of anglers are already prepping for what to many of them is their very favorite angling of the entire year -the hardwater bite.

By Jack Kiser

Make no mistake, an efficient and versatile ice angler can regularly outproduce a whole lot of open-water fishermen, with the added bonus that fish caught under the ice are by acclamation a whole lot more palatable than those hooked out of warmer water. Combine this with the fact that some

very successful hardwater angling can be done on the cheap, though ice angling also has an increasingly notable contingent of “technocrats”, seemingly dedicated to making the endeavor as costly as possible. Most big -box stores offer little or no expertise or inventory available to an endeavor they see as too uncertain weather-wise or not lucrative enough overall to be bothered with. This is where true all-purpose traditional bait shops stand out as even more precious for quality information and appropriate gear

Tips on how to prepare for an Offshore Lake Erie Kayak Fishing Adventure

than they normally are. This is especially vital concerning ice safety and thickness and other cold- water concerns. Northern Ohio offers arguably two of the very best examples of such services with storied Mogadore Bait, Tackle & Marine Repair at 780 Randolph Rd. in Mogadore. (330-628-9872) and Mark’s Bait & Tackle (330-296-3474) on Rt.14, just northeast of Ravenna. Mark has announced his retirement contingent upon the sale of the store he has built into something truly special. Both stores I’ve recently visited, and both are loaded with ice jigs, ice combos, and other ice angling essentials.

are many things to consider when preparing for an offshore adventure fishing on Lake Erie. A few of the most important items are as follows:

Knowing the current and future wind, weather, and wave forecasts for the you plan to fish.

Always wearing a coast guard approved PFD (Personal Floatation Device).

the proper thermal safety gear for potential cold-water dangers, a drysuit should be worn anytime the water temperature is below 60 degrees.

a float plan with a friend or family member, and let them know where plan to launch, what direction you plan to travel, and what time you on returning.

a handheld VHF radio to contact nearby vessels or the Coast Guard event of an emergency.

a whistle, compass, snacks, sunscreen, and plenty of water. An Airmight be a good idea too.

COLORADO BROOKIE RECORD BESTED THREE TIMES IN 2022

It’s been a banner year for giant brook trout caught from Colorado lakes. Three known brookies were caught this year that outweighed the 75-year-old state record. Two of them came from the same small high-country lake on Uncompahgre National Forest.

The new official state record is an 8-pound, 9-ounce fish caught on Oct. 8 by Matt Smiley, of Lake City Colorado. To catch his fish, he hiked nearly 4 miles into the mountains east of Lake City to Waterdog Lake, which is on national forest land in southwest Colorado’s Hinsdale County. Smiley has been targeting giant brook trout for a decade, and this one—which hit an undisclosed artificial lure—certainly qualifies as a giant at 26.25 inches in length and 16 inches in girth.

“The experience of this catch has been

surreal, and it took a few days to soak in. It’s a really special fish,” Smiley told Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “The toughest thing for me with this whole deal was deciding to keep the fish. I’ve released so many over the years, but it was one of those deals where I made a quick decision and wanted to give this fish the recognition it deserves.”

Part of the reason Smiley decided to fish Waterdog that day was a fish caught by another Lake City angler the weekend prior. Larry Vickers caught an 8.22-pound brook trout earlier in October but opted not to go through with the certification process and ate his fish instead.

According to CPW, Vickers’ fish was on Smiley’s mind when he hiked up the 3.9 miles and 2,400 feet of elevation gain on Waterdog

Lake Trail. The Lake sits in a timberline bowl at 11,130 feet of elevation.

“After fishing for a bit and only seeing smaller fish, I thought I wasn’t going to see any real good ones,” Smiley told CPW. “But then the rod got heavy, I set my hook and could tell I had a really big fish.

“When it surfaced and I could see it, all I could think was, ‘Wow.’ I’ve caught big brookies in the past around the state, but when I saw this one, it was just different. It had way more length than any of the big ones before.”

Smiley fought the fish close to shore and waded out to net it. He had the fish in his net briefly, but it rolled out and pulled drag back out to the middle of the lake.

“I went into the, ‘I can’t lose this one’ mode,” Smiley told CPW. “She pulled and rolled and

was doing crazy things. My heart sank when she flopped right back out of the net, but she stayed hooked up and I brought her in a second time. It was a wild, crazy deal.”

Smiley stuffed the fish into his backpack, hiked out and got a certified weight at the Lake City Post Office. CPW fisheries biologist Dan Brauch inspected the fish and said he was not surprised the fish came from Waterdog.

“Having sampled that water, I know the shoreline is loaded with scuds,” Brauch said. “So I am not too surprised this fish came from that lake, but it is a smaller body of water. It’s not a lake that handles a lot of use or fishing pressure and is difficult to access. Seeing two record fish in one week caught from there, it’s a cool story.”

Smiley’s monster trout outweighed the existing state record by a little less than a pound. In May of 2022, Tim Daniel, of Granby, Colo., caught a 7.84-pound brookie from Monarch Lake in northern Colorado’s Grand County that beat a 7.63-pound state record that had stood since 1947. Daniel’s fish was 23.25 inches long and had a girth of 15.375 inches.

Interestingly, brook trout are not native to Colorado or to the West, and they are not really classified as trout. They are a species of char that originates from eastern North America,

from Canada and as far south as Georgia in the United States. The IGFA world record is an enormous specimen at 14 pounds, 8 ounces. It was caught from the Nipigon River in Ontario, Canada way back in 1915.

While it takes some luck to land any state record fish, Smiley is an angler who understands the cycles of fisheries. In his discussions with CPW, it is apparent he did his homework and fished hard for his spot in the record books.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years pretty hard across Colorado. We just love backcountry brook trout,” Smiley said. “There are several lakes with really good fish in them, and we’ve been close a few times. My friend got one five years ago that would’ve broken the record, and on the spot he released it. He had one earlier that day he lost that was even bigger. The way lakes cycle, a couple of years go by and there are no big brookies left in it as things change.”

Smiley said the decision to keep his fish was difficult, but he has some pretty solid justification beyond just attaining the record.

“I’ve let some really big ones go, and then you see them later and age has not been kind to them as they’ve regressed and gone the other way when they aren’t getting the nutrients they need to maintain that size,” he said. “This one, it was in peak condition, and I made the decision to give that fish the recognition it deserves. But it’s been the toughest thing for me with this whole deal. We learn none of them live forever, but it’s just a crazy deal when it all happens at once and you have to make that quick call.”

To see Colorado’s state records, go to cpw.state. co.us/learn/Pages/RecordsbyWeight.aspx.

I LOVE CATS!

BEN MARTIN

That’s right. I never thought I would hear myself say it, but there it is, “I love cats.”

It only takes one ride on a dual-hull vessel to convince anyone the ride is superior to that of a V-hull. If you’ve chosen your dual-hull vessel correctly, you’ll quickly recognize there’s no requirement to endure the constant up and down slamming endured in a V-hull.

Most engineers and propulsion designers will tell you there’s something inherently unstable about a single V-shaped hull with engines mounted in the rear. But when you add a second V-shaped hull to the equation, the entire center of gravity changes. Your vessel no longer has the need to plane. Now, your rear-mounted engines push the boat effortlessly. The vessel no longer requires the bounce to move it forward over the water’s surface.

The balanced float of two hulls also creates additional benefits. Shallow draft is a big one. Most cats draft less than 2 feet. Our Sea Cat drafts an incredible 14 inches. Now you’ve got an inshore vessel and

an offshore vessel all in one. That’s a feat that’s very hard to achieve with a mono-hull.

There’s another great benefit to dual-hull vessels: Fuel Economy. Remember the displacement thing? The design that eliminates a need for the boat to ride on plane?

Well, when your vessel can maintain a balanced float on top of the water, your engines no longer have to fight to bounce your vessel forward. They simply don’t have to work as hard, and it is therefore unquestionably true that two-hull vessels are unrivaled in fuel economy in the marine space.

Now, mono-hull designs have dominated the U.S. market since the 1960s. It’s what we are trained to think boats should be. But innovation has a way of changing things. Before you stubbornly say you hate cats, I challenge you to take a test ride on one. I suspect that you’ll become a cat lover, too.

There might be some rugged individuals out there who really like that constant pounding and the need to burn a lot of fuel. I suppose there are also some people who simply enjoy maintaining two boats, one for inshore and one for off shore. I salute you rugged individuals to whom money means nothing and eight hours of pounding up and down on a vessel is no big deal. But when we go fishing, let’s go on my cat and spare the pounding… I’ll buy the gas.

IT’S DORADO SEASON IN COSTA RICA

For much of the U.S. it is time to don winter coats, sweep the chimney and winterize the boat. As the temperature plummets, it’s easy for the mind to wander toward thoughts of warm sun and a beach escape.

For the fishing crews in Nosara, Costa Rica, the forecast for the next 10 months is perfect sunshine and clear fishing weather. Best of all, this is the time of year when big dorado provide plenty for the Christmas dinner table.

Here in Costa Rica, our fishing pattern resets each year. Ever since the rainy season ended in early November, we have seen large schools of dorado stacked up like cordwood. Also, there are swarms of sailfish and the occasional marlin stalking these mahi-mahi meals.

We expect this feeding pattern to continue until late-March when the dorado will be replaced by schools of yellowfin tuna moving in from the north. Gangs of spinning dolphins will show us the way to these tasty ahis, and once they show up the tuna bite will strengthen until our end-of-season in early September.

Our offshore marlin, yellowfin and dorado all follow schools of bait that move from north to south along the Pacific coast.

By FishingNosara

Conversely, our inshore fishery doesn’t depend on pelagic bait migration patterns. Instead our secluded port of Garza Bay is fed by local mountain rivers. When the cool, nutrient-rich river water collides with the warm, fast-moving saltwater of the Pacific, conditions are perfect for localized swarms of baitfish to form.

This “homegrown” bait supports a ravenous population of big roosterfish, broomtail groupers and massive cubera snapper. It’s not unusual for these monsters to weigh upwards of 60 pounds yet still ascend the water column to strike on the surface.

Roosterfish are in an especially catchable mood after a cool evening’s rain floods the estuary with fresh baits. Inshore or offshore, all are ripe for the catching, and captains of FishingNosara have posted excellent catches ever since the season started.

It’s always a great time be thankful for friends, family and the blessings in life, but

with Christmas Day right around the corner, it is the right time to give the gift of fishing.

If you have a youngster in the family, get them a tackle box and a starter reel. If you are already an avid angler, remember that Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals are great for expanding your arsenal.

And, if you are ready to challenge yourself to catch the baddest fish on the planet, come on down to Nosara and pay us a visit.

Check out www.fishingnosara.com.

season and is only going to get better. Trolling

smaller chicken dolphins. If lures are your thing I prefer Yozuri Crystal Minnows and honestly color doesn’t matter. Pitch around the weed lines or patches and look deeper down for the bigger Mahi. As for Tuna with all the chumming going on, I like to send down a vertical jig on 60#-80# test at least 100’ below the boat. Working your jig through the water column is a good way to fire up any kind of fish that may be lurking around in the shadows. If you have a large diamond jig I’d put some heavy wire in front of it for a chance at a wahoo. Triple Tail are amazing fish on light tackle and I recommend 15#-20# fluorocarbon and #2 Owner hook. Live

If bottom fishing is your go to joy Vermillion snappers, Groupers, and Rock salmon is my target. For Vermillion snappers I like using a 2-3 hook chicken rig mixed with cut squid and Boston mackerel. Let your weight sit right on the bottom and wait for those 2-3 light bites. Rock salmon and Groupers like to hide out in the rocks and caves, so a slip lead is what I like to use. Heavier leader line for Groupers and larger baits close to the bottom. Feel the bite and start cranking. The first 20’-30’ are the most

When it comes to offshore fishing don’t give up. There’s a lot of trial and error. Figure out what works best for you and as always keep your lines out and keep them tight.

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